Everyone in America has the right to a free public education. States set standards for schools in an effort to ensure all students get the same quality education. No matter how many standards are set, students will not have an equal education. School is broader than the lessons taught in the classroom. Every student's school experience is different, not only because of the quality of their education, but because of factors such as the location of the school, demographics, teachers, participation and the experiences of other people. My school experience helped define me as a person and helped guide me in life. I attended a public school in Perry, Iowa. There was a small public school in my town, but it only taught through eighth grade, so during high school I participated in dance team, football and basketball cheerleading, marching band, color guard, concert band, jazz band, band pep rally, choir, select choir, drama, Resistance Skills Leaders, National Honor Society, GSA, Skills, Big Buddy, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and speech. I always had something to do and I liked to keep busy. Participating helped me get a place at school. In the big school participation gives you a new group of friends. Perry isn't very big, so everyone I was on the team with I already knew. Doing all the extracurricular activities I did really helped me develop strong emotional bonds with many people I knew. He taught me to encourage others and that positive reinforcement will always work better than punishment. He showed me that being a leader isn't about being the person with all the ideas or the most outspoken person, but about being the person who inspires others to be creative and helps share their thoughts and guide them in the right direction. Like many people, my personal experiences have shaped who I am. As a future educator, I want my students to respect me as a teacher, but understand that I will be there for each of them, whenever they need me. I will not judge them; I will just encourage them to do their best. I will show them that learning can be fun and that school is more than just memorizing facts, it's about opening your mind to new ideas and experiencing things that will change your life.